Lifetime Sporting Licenses

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has teamed with DEC and NYS Parks to offer a convenient service for purchasers of DEC-issued Lifetime Sporting Licenses and Parks-issued Lifetime Empire Passport and Boater Safety Certificates. Your NYS DMV-issued photo document can now show evidence that you possess a new NYS Adventure License.

How do I take advantage of this easy new service?

New lifetime sporting license purchasers: opt to have icons added to your NYS Driver license. You may choose to get your new DMV ID immediately, for a fee of $12.50, or wait for your next license renewal at no charge.

Why not extend your NYS Adventure? Consider buying a Lifetime Empire State Passport that lets you visit more than 170 beautiful NYS parks for the rest of your life. See the NYS Parks website for more details about this and boating safety certificates.

As part of New York's Adventure License, you also have the opportunity to get new license plates for your vehicle showing how much you enjoy hunting and/or fishing. The plate will identify you as a devoted fan of a sport shared by millions. If you hold a sporting / recreational license purchased from DEC, you can choose any of the 6 I LOVE NY Hunting or Fishing plates. If you hold an Empire Passport from Parks, you may choose any of the 3 I LOVE NY Parks custom plates.

The following licenses are available to New York State residents only.
(Applicants must provide proof of NYS residency for one year)

License Name

Resident Fee
& (Age Group)

Privileges

Lifetime

$380
(under 5)

Combined privileges of hunting license, fishing license and turkey permit, which includes hunting big game and small game (including turkey), and fishing for freshwater fish species and baitfish.Note: there is no lifetime privilege for the recreational marine fishing registry.

$535
(5-11)

$765
(12-69)

$65
(70+)

Hunting

$535
(All)

Hunt big game and small game during their appropriate seasons.

Bowhunting

$235
(All)

Hunt big game (deer and bear) only with a bow during the special bowhunting season.

Trapping

$395
(All)

Set traps for species during their appropriate season.

Muzzleloading

$235
(All)

Hunt big game (deer and bear) with a muzzleloading firearm during the special muzzleloading season.

Lifetime License Transfers

Lifetime sporting licenses may be transferred to a qualifying relative who is a resident of New York State if the lifetime license holder passes away within one year of purchase of the license or if the license holder passes away while in active United States military duty during a time of war. A qualifying relative can be a parent, sibling, child or spouse of the license holder. The lifetime licenses must have been issued on or after January 15, 2008. For more information on requests and copies of supporting documents for applying for Lifetime License Transfer call DEC's License Sales Unit at 518-402-8843.

Lifetime license purchased by phone take at least two weeks for processing. Please take this into consideration when purchasing one during peak hunting and fishing seasons, for holidays and for special occasion gifts (birthdays, graduations, etc.).

After the original purchase, appropriate tags and any special applications will be mailed annually to lifetime licensees.

Refunds for lifetime license fees will not be made under any conditions.

The purchase of a lifetime license goes forever into New York State's Fish and Game Trust Fund. Only the interest from this fund goes into the State's Conservation Fund which is overseen by the Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB) and is dedicated to the support and promotion of fishing, hunting and trapping.

Replacing Lost Lifetime Licenses

Lost lifetime license ID cards can be replaced for a fee of $5 at any license issuing agent. The ID card will be sent to you in the mail.

Lost carcass tags for turkey, bear or deer (including DMPs) can be replaced for a fee of $10 at any license issuing agent.

Residency Requirements

Lifetime licenses are available only to residents of New York State who have been residents for at least one year immediately prior to the application date (proof required). Lifetime license applicants must present the same proof of residency, eligibility and age as annual license applicants. With the original lifetime license purchase, the customer will receive appropriate tags for the season and license type at the time of purchase.

Privileges

Lifetime license privileges are equal to those of annual license buyers. Lifetime licensees must still purchase separate privileges, such as turkey permits (except for lifetime sportsman license holders) and deer management permits.

Lifetime licenses will remain valid for privileges purchased in New York State regardless of a change in residency.

Young Hunters

When purchasing a lifetime license for a child (ages 12-15), the purchaser must bring proof of the child's age with either a birth certificate or passport and a copy of the parent's residency proof.

When the child becomes age 12 and wishes to receive his/her tags, s/he must first take the appropriate hunter safety training course. A copy of the certificate must then be sent to the DEC License Sales Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4790 before their tags can be fulfilled. Young hunters should take the appropriate training course well in advance of the season to allow adequate time for their tags to be mailed. Tags cannot be obtained by contacting your local license issuing agent.